Instrument Exploration: Oboe

ENGAGE students

ASK. “Have you ever heard of an instrument called the oboe?”

NOTICE. “Look at a picture of the oboe at the top of this page. Does it look like another instrument? What’s the same? What’s different? Can you guess what instrument family the oboe belongs to?”

EXPLORE sounds

WATCH. Listen as oboe player Susan tells you about her instrument.

EXPLAIN. “Since an oboe players uses wind (or breath) to make the wood of the reed vibrate, we know the oboe is in the WOODWIND family. What is special about the oboe’s reed?”

LISTEN. This is a musical piece for oboe. As you listen, think of three words that describe the sound of the oboe.

REFLECT. Write down or share the three words you thought of to describe the oboe.

EXTEND learning

Choose one or more of the following activities to extend learning.

PLAY. Play a game of Musical “I Spy” using this performance of Valerie Coleman’s Umoja. Guide students to use a hand signal or gesture every time they see or hear the oboe. Offer bonus points for identifying other instruments!

MOVE.  Listen to this piece and use a streamer or scarf to show the highs and lows.

COLOR.  Use markers, crayons, or paints to draw the melody of this piece, by composer Chen Yi. Or, use a finger in the air to “fingerpaint” the oboe’s melody.